Using a new generation of piezoelectric sensors for partial discharge detection

► On-line detection of partial discharge by a new generation of piezoelectric sensor. ► For experiments, a setup was designed to produce a localized partial discharge. ► Measurements were taken simultaneously with piezoelectric and a standard circuit. ► The correlation between the two measurement types are presented. In this paper, we present the application potential for the on-line detection of partial discharges of a new generation of piezoelectric sensors (High Temperature Ultrasonic Transducers, HTUTs). Such a sensor was recently developed by Canada’s Industrial Materials Institute (IMI). Given its inherent features, it can be considered as an excellent economic alternative for partial discharge detection. A breadboard was designed to produce a specifically localized partial discharge source. Partial discharge measurements were taken simultaneously with piezoelectric sensors and with a standard detection circuit equipped with a capacitive coupler. This paper presents the correlation between the two measurement types.